MUSIC REVIEW : Master Chorale, Pacific Symphony in Joint Appearance at Arts Center

Like flip sides of a coin, Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” and Stravinsky’s “Symphony of Psalms” are made of the same metal but reveal very different faces. Friday night at Segerstrom Hall, William Hall and the Master Chorale of Orange County teamed up with the Pacific Symphony to present these two works side by side.

“Carmina Burana” is music of popular fame, much performed, much recorded. Orff’s inspiration for the work was Stravinsky’s music, in particular the “Symphony of Psalms.” But whereas Stravinsky used medieval chant and pulsing ostinato for austere, primitive expression, Orff uses similar material, simplified, for opulent, vivid, gut-pounding spectacle. There’s nothing subtle about it: you just sit back and bathe in its gaudy sound; “Carmina” does all the work for you.

The performance was very much up to the spectacle. The Master Chorale sang efficiently and energetically, producing a massive, well-balanced sound when called upon. The Pacific Symphony gave a biting and percussive account of the lavish orchestration.

Baritone Martin Wright brought considerable gusto and humor to his solos; he sang with theatrical exuberance. Tenor Gregory Wait was nicely skittish in the cygnet’s song, and soprano Judith Siirila gave solid, expressive voice to her music. The Los Angeles Children’s Chorus was confident and neat in support. Credit Hall with keeping all these musicians moving together both in time and spirit.

Forced to rear stage as the Bella Lewitzky Dance Company performed its setting of the “Symphony of Psalms,” Hall and company were less compelling. Textures were murky; articulations lacked vitality. Still, much of the stern beauty of this music came through in this somber, restrained and tidy reading.